On January 3, 2003, Donald Eugene Papenfus, 23, an inmate at the Shasta County Jail, filed a complaint which was sent via the U.S. Mail to the Facility Administrator, Capt. Don Van Buskirk,  alleging what amounts to police or guard brutality. The following is the actual text of the complaint: 

"I don't know where to start, I was sleeping on my bunk with the light off, just as people were leaving to rec yard. I was sleeping on my stomach when officer Jackson entered my cell leaving a disciplinary, he reached down and grabbed my foot dragging me off my bunk onto the floor so that my face slammed the floor and then left quickly. I tried to get someone to wave at the camera, but after several minutes the prowler didn't respond. Please help me. I fear for my life. Thank You. (Signature)" 

It should be explained that a "prowler" is a jail job description for the officer assigned to supervise the housing unit, and "waving at the camera" refers to the only approved method of attracting staff attention. The Shasta Jail has no bona fide emergency alert system, forcing inmates to scream, yell, and kick doors to attract staff attention. Also, Papenfus has had an ongoing succession of problems with Jackson. 

According to Papenfus, when Jackson entered his cell to deliver the paper: at first Papenfus was asleep, then came half awake from the intrusion, and lifted his head to look. He stated Jackson "strangely" closed the door, then placed the paper on the "desk." Believing Jackson would leave the paper and exit the cell, Papenfus laid his head back down on the bed facing the wall, paying no further attention to Jackson. All of a sudden, he was attacked as described in the complaint. Witnesses reported Papenfus had a large knot and bruise over his right cheek bone, and redness on his elbow and chest. Papenfus states the blow to his face stunned him leaving him disoriented. By the time he was able to get to his feet, Jackson had run out of the cell and slammed the door. 

In retrospect, Papenfus questions why Jackson was delivering this paper copy, since this was the second delivery of the same document. He also questions why Jackson entered the cell of a sleeping man when the normal protocol is to slide the paper under the door. Based on this odd behavior, Papenfus alleges this unprovoked attack was premeditated. 

As of January 14, 2003, the above quoted complaint was unanswered. It is unknown whether or not this was ever delivered to the Captain. However, on the same date, Papenfus sent a similar complaint also addressed to the Captain via the regular jail channels. It contained the additional request to keep Jackson away from Papenfus. This never made it to the Captain, but was instead curtly answered by #299, whoever that is, who stated: "Deputy Jackson will work where he is assigned." An answer obviously avoiding the main complaint. Jackson is #382. 

On January 11, 2003, Papenfus sent a request to the Sergeant stating: "I would like to know what has been done and what is still being done legally on the assault that occurred on the 3^rd from Officer Jackson upon myself." This was answered on January 13, 2003, by Sgt. McCorison, #S124, with the terse statement: "This is a personnel issue and is confidential." 

The investigation of these complaints appear to have been preempted by the January 11, 2003, suicide attempt of Robert Hedrick. Papenfus has been unable to learn the status of his complaint, however, on January 14, 2003, Sgt. McCorison placed a telephone call to Papenfus' mother in Sidney, Arkansas, telling her your son is lying and he can't prove his allegations. Papenfus claims other deputies have tormented him with accusations of lying and other hazing, and he has responded with a challenge for both him and Jackson to take polygraph tests to see who is lying. His challenge remains unanswered, but the Sheriff's Department sophistry and denials continue. 

Addendum:  A few hours after leaning of the Sergeant's phone call to his mother, Papenfus attempted suicide by trying to hang himself with a bedsheet.  he was stabilized and taken to a Redding Hospital, then returned to the Jail where he is being kept in the medical unit under suicide watch.